Suspension mount for automatic fount



Aug. 2, 1955 J. w. GOFF SUSPENSION MOUNT FOR AUTOMATIC FOUNT Filed 001;. 27, 1952 .HH'EZl/Z'OR JOHN W Go M W, yaaArmmrm United States Patent SUSPENSION MOUNT FOR AUTOMATIC FOUNT John W. Golf, St. Paul, Minn. Application October 27, 1952, Serial No. 316,960

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-408) This invention relates to automatic founts and more particularly to a novel and improved suspension mount therefor.

It is a general object of the invention to provide for a spring suspension mechanism in a poultry fount and the like which will quickly and efiiciently valve the fiow of fluid supplied thereto in response to a balanced shifting of position caused by the weight of a receptacle and its retained fluid suspended therefrom, the response being delicate in nature while the mechanism itself is rugged and capable of withstanding severe shocks.

Previous automatic founts, including those disclosed in United States Patent Number 2,501,727 granted March 28, 1950, to Charles L. Kubista and my co-pending application Serial Number 269,014 filed January 30, 1952, have a spring mounted valve control which responds to the combined weight of the receptacle and water therein to close the valve when sufficient water has entered the receptacle and to again open it when the water level has fallen below a predetermined weight in the receptacle. The receptacle with its water thus rests upon a single spring having predetermined resilient strength, the adjustable collar merely serving to space the valve closer or farther from the abutment which actuates the valve. It is often necessary, and especially so for larger receptacles such as troughs, to adjust the supporting spring for a required shut off position which will cause undue pressure upon the end of the valve mechanism or the threaded lower end of the inlet tube when the weight of the trough is lessened by removal of water during use. Sudden shock also may be imposed as where a fowl or animal is stepping or leaning upon the fount and suddenly removes his weight therefrom. The upwardly surging receptacle will then strike the bottom of the valve and tube, and even though ruggedly constructed will eventually wear and damage the parts.

Another difiiculty often encountered by previous automatic founts when applied to heavier receptacles such as troughs, is the tendency for the fluid in the trough to surge in rhythmic waves from one end of the receptacle to the other, thus causing the valve and tube to be struck each time the trough bounces up and down in response to the surge.

It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide for a mounting structure in an automatic fount which will be positioned intermediate the ends of a resilient member to cushion shocks applied to the suspended receptacle from either a downward or upward direction and to produce a quiet and orderly replenishing of drinking water to the receptacle.

It is a further object to provide for a mounting structure and spring suspension therefor which will support a fount receptacle and at the same time actuate a water inlet valve, the mounting structure furnishing a protective sheath for the entire mechanism and being suspended between resilient means designed to operate effectively within a narrow range of movement for a wide range of weights and sizes of receptacles, and at no time having a solid abutting action against any relatively movable part but on the contrary maintaining at all times a resilient suspension accommodating both upward and downward surge of the receptacle.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide for quickly detachable arm support means for holding a fount receptacle suspended therebelow, the support means being adjustable with respect to the receptacle for controlling the applied weight of receptacle and contents and the receptacle at all times furnishing a substantially unrestricted open drinking area for poultry and animals.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my device as applied to an elongated fount receptacle, the device being pivotally supported at the end opposite my attached device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view with portions of the trough cut away to show the suspension mount and a portion of the discharge end of a depending liquid supply pipe, the suspension mount being largely in vertical section with certain of the parts in full line;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged segment of the lower end of my suspension mount showing the cooperation between the abutment portion of the protective sheath and valve-actuating member in contact with the valve projection, the view being larger in vertical section with certain parts thereof in ful line; and

Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a modified receptacle engaging structure in which the liquid supply pipe is not required to be relatively movable with respect to the receptacle in order to vary the applied weight thereof to the suspension mount.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, my device is adapted to be supported by the depending portion of a liquid supply pipe 10 which may be suspended from a plumbing liquid supply or may be reversely bent to form a standard 11 connected to a fitting 12 which in turn may be connected with a source of liquid supply. The fitting 12 may be fixed to a base or stand 13 so that the entire liquid supply system is rigid at the portion where the suspension mount is attached therewith. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is adaptable to pipe or hose connections, singly or in multiple units. At the depending end of the liquid supply pipe 10 is means 14 for removably securing the suspension mount, said means comprising in the instant case a reducing nut 15 having a screen 16 disposed therewithin and a resilient and liquid proof washer 17 thereover. When the nut 15 is tightened against the threaded lower end of the depending fluid supply pipe 10 a water-tight connection is made therewith. The reducing nut 15 has a lower threaded opening communicating with the liquid supply pipe 10 into which a vertical support tube 18 may be secured. The vertical support tube 18 is preferably of uniform diameter and terminates at its lower end in a threaded portion 19 which is adapted to retain an adjustable abutment member 20. The lower inside walls of the vertical support tube may likewise be threaded so as to retain a valve member 21 which is preferably of the type used in pneumatic tubes and commonly known as the Schroeder air valve. The air valve has a head 22 and a seat member 23, the seat having apassageway therethrough for the valve stem 24 which forms at its outer end a projection 25. The valve head and stem are normally urged in downward direction to seat the valve head 22 and shut off the supply of liquid coming downwardly through the vertical support tube 18.

A protective sheath and valve-actuating member 26 is slidably mounted upon the medial portion of the vertical support tube and has at its upper end a guide or I valve-actuating member 26 are perforate means 30 for it allowing the escape of fluid from the inside of the sheath to the outside thereof.

Interposed between the lower abutment and an upper abutment 31 is a resilient suspension and control means 32 which may comprise a lower resilient member such as compression coil spring 33 and an upper compression coil spring 34. The guide or sleeve 27 is thus resiliently suspended between the abutment 31 and the adjustable abutment 20. The lower spring 33 constitutes a spring support for the suspension mount and the upper spring 34 constitutes a buffer spring.

Also cooperating with the sheath and valve-actuating member 26 is a receptacle engaging means 35. The means 35 may constitute a pair of oppositely extending arms 36 terminating in a bent end 37 for engaging the elongated trough 33 for slidable adjustment therealong. The receptacle engaging means 35 preferably has a slotted opening 39 as shown in Fig. l which will adapt it to quick attachment and detachment from the protective sheath and valve-actuating member 26, it being necessary merely to unloosen the lower sheath portion 28 by unscrewing several threads from the upper guide or sleeve portion 27. A standard 40 having limited pivotal connection at 41 with the end of elongated trough 38 opposite the suspension mount furnishes a fulcrum for the weighted balancing of the entire device together with the liquid supplied thereinto.

In the alternative form the receptacle engaging means 1 shown in Fig. 4 comprises a single laterally extending arm 42 which has a quickly detachable notch 43 for similar attachment to the protective sheath and valve actuating member 26. The arm 42 may be formed of flat sheet material and twisted intermediate its ends at 44 so as to add strength and rigidity thereto. A handle or bail 45 may engage the elongated trough 38 for slidable adjustment therealong, the upper portion being suspended from the corresponding notch 46 disposed along the top of arm 42.

Operation In the use and operation of my resilient suspension mount, I adjust the adjustable abutment 20 so as to limit the outward diverging extension of the resilient control means 32. When the elongated receptacle 38 is emptied of all the fluid the abutment 29 on the protective sheath and valve-actuating member 26 should be in an ,upper position, pressing against the projection so as to maintain the valve 21 in open position. Liquid will then be supplied from the liquid supply line 10 and will distribute itself along the bottom of trough 33 until a normal level is reached therein. It will be noted that the liquid proceeds out of the perforate discharge in a downward direction so as to not frighten animals and fowls drinking therefrom. As the liquid level rises over the end of the protective sheath and valve-actuating l to the suspension mount. This adjustment can, of course, be applied simultaneously or consecutively in cooperation with the adjustable abutment 29. it will be further noted, however, that if the receptacle engaging means 36 is moved toward the medial portion of the trough 38, the fluid supply pipe lit and the suspension mount will constitute a nuisance insofar as free access to the drinking fount is concerned. The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 allows the suspension mount to remain at the same position with respect to the end of trough 38 while the bail or handle is slidably adjusted to attain the required applied weight to the spring suspension mount.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A device for supporting fount receptacles and for controlling the supply of liquid to such receptacles having in combination, a vertical support tube, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of a depending liquid supply pipe with the lower end of said support tube overlying the bottom of'a receptacle in spaced relation therewith, a valve in the support tube actuable to release liquid from said support tube through the valve, a protective sheath and valveactuating member having a sleeve portion at the upper end thereof and extending downwardly to completely house the medial and lower end portions of said support tube and valve, a receptacle engaging element secured to the protective sheath and valve-actuating member and extending laterally therefrom, and a mechanism responsive to the amount of liquid in a receptacle supported by the protective sheath and valve-actuating member, said protective sheath and valve-actuating member having at its lower end abutment means for actuating said valve and perforate outlet means for quietly releasing liquid to said receptacle.

2. A device for supporting fount receptacles and for controlling the supply of liquid to such receptacles having in combination, a vertical support tube, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of a depending li uid supply with the lower end of the support tube overlying the bott m of a receptacle in spaced relation therewith, a valve in the lower end of the support tube said valve having a projection actuable to release liquid from said support tube through the valve, a protective sheath and valve-actuating member having a sleeve portion at the upper end thereof for slidable mounting on said support tube and extending downwardly to completely house the medial and lower end portions of said support tube and valve, a receptacle engaging element secured to the protective sheath and valve-actuating member and extending laterally therefrom, and a mechanism responsive to the amount of liquid in a receptacle supported by the protective sheath and valve-actuating member, said protective sheath and valveactuating member having abutment means immediately underlying the projection of said valve mechanism and having perforate outlet means adjacent said abutment for releasing the liquid to said receptacle in an orderly and predetermined manner.

3. A suspension mount for an automatic fount of the type having a depending liquid supply pipe and a support comprising, a vertical support tube, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of the liquid supply pipe, a valve in said outlet for releasing liquid from the support tube, a mounting structure slidably mounted on said tube for protection of the valve mechanism and tube and for actuating said valve, receptacle supporting means attached to said mounting structure and extending outwardly therefrom, resilient suspension and control means closely adjacent the support tube and having opposed ends limited in their outward movement With'respect to said tube and being secured at a medial portion thereof to the mounting structure whereby the latter is resiliently urged into balanced relation with respect to said tube and will be yieldable upwardly and downwardly into a new balanced relation in response to a change of weight applied to said mounting structure.

4. A suspension mount for an automatic fount of the type having a depending liquid supply pipe and a support comprising, a vertical support tube, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of the liquid supply pipe, a valve in said outlet for releasing liquid from the support tube, a protective sheath and valve-actuating member slidably mounted on said tube for protection of the valve mechanism and tube and extending closely adjacent said valve for reciproczl actuating thereof, receptacle supporting means attached to said protective sheath and valve-actuating member and extending outwardly therefrom, spring suspension and control means resiliently mounted upon said support tube and having the opposed ends thereof limited in their diverging compressive movement with respect to said support tube and being secured at a medial portion thereof to the protective sheath and valve-actuating member whereby the latter is resiliently urged into balanced relation with respect to said support tube and will be yieldab'ie upwardly and downwardly into a new balanced relation in response to a change of weight applied to said protective sheath and valve-actuating member.

5. A suspension mount for an automatic fount of the type having a depending liquid supply pipe and a support comprising, a vertical support tube, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of the liquid supply pipe, a valve in said outlet for releasing liquid from the support tube, a mounting structure slidably mounted on said tube for protection ct the valve mechanism and tube and extending closely adjacent said valve for reciprocal actuating thereof, receptacle supporting means attached to said mounting structure and extending outwardly therefrom, resilient means interposed between a lower abutment on said suppor tube and said mounting structure, and second resilient means interposed between said mounting structure and an upper abutment on said support tube whereby the mounting structure is resiliently urged into balanced relation with respect to said tube and will be yieldable upwardly and downwardly into a new balanced relation in response to a change of weight applied to said mounting structure.

6. A suspension mount for an automatic fount of the type having a depending liquid supply pipe and a support comprising, a vertical support tube, means for rc-- movably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of the liquid supply pipe, a valve in said outlet for releasing liquid from the support tube, a mounting structure slidably mounted on said tube for protection of the valve mechanism and tube and closely adjacent said valve for reciprocal actuation thereof, receptacle supporting means attached to said mounting structure and extending outwardly therefrom, a supporting spring positioned between a lower abutment on said support tube and the mounting structure, and a buffer spring positioned between the mounting structure and an upper abutment on said support tube and means for adjusting the spaced relation of said upper and lower abutment means.

7. A device for supporting elongated fount receptacles such as troughs and for controlling the supply of liquid to such receptacles comprising, a vertical support tube having a valve therein, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of a depending liquid supply pipe a protective sheath and valve-actuating member supported upon the intermediate portion of said support tube, a mechanism responsive to the amount of liquid in a receptacle supported by said protective sheath and valve-actuating member for controlling the operation of said valve and the liquid supply therethrough by an abutment portion underlying said valve and rigidly formed with said protective sheath and valve-actuating member, and lateral extending receptacle engaging means secured for quick detachment to said protective sheath and valve-actuating member and having relative horizontal adjustability with respect to the sides of said trough for varying the applied weight of the trough and liquid contained therein to the protective sheath and valve-actuating member.

8. A device for supporting elongated fount receptacles such as troughs and for controlling the supply of liquid to such receptacles comprising, a vertical support tube having a valve therein, means for removably securing said support tube in vertical position to the discharge end of a depending liquid supply pipe, a mounting structure supported upon the intermediate portion of said support tube, a mechanism responsive to the amount of liquid in a receptacle supported by said mounting structure for controlling the operation of said valve and liquid supply therethrough by a valve actuating abutment underlying said valve and rigidly connected to said mounting structure, a laterally extending arm secured for quick detachment to said mounting structure, and a bail adjustable both with respect to said arm and to the sides of said trough.

9. A suspension mount for an automatic fount of the type having a depending liquid supply pipe and a support comprising, a vertically depending support tube, means for removably securing said support tube to the discharge end of said liquid supply pipe, a spring pressed valve member mounted at the lower end of said. support tube and having a depending projection for actuation against spring pressure, a protective sheath and valve-actuating member slidably received on said support tube and having an abutment underlying said valve projection and in contact therewith, resilient means tending to maintain said protective sheath and valve-actuating member in medial supported relation on said support tube, orifice means through the protective sheath and valve-actuating member at a lower position thereon, and a supporting connection attached to said protective sheath and valve actuating member for resilient support of said fount in spaced underlying relation with the suspension mount whereby liquid will be released through said support tube and valve until the combined weight of said fount and the liquid therein contained will lower said protective sheath and valve-actuating member so as to permit the valve projection to close the valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,593,172 Heatherington July 20, 1926 2,626,630 Hotton Jan. 27, 1953 2,634,755 Hobbs Apr. 14, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,987 Australia Nov. 1, 1934 

